MEDIA ADVISORY: Foundation Forming to Eliminate Smoking Worldwide

13.9.2017 03:00 | Business Wire

Del

Ushering in a bold, billion-dollar, far-reaching new effort to end
smoking across the globe, the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World will be
formally launched in New York City on September 13 at 9:30am EDT.

The Foundation’s founder and president-designate, Dr. Derek Yach, will
outline the Foundation’s mission, objectives, and an initial funding
commitment of approximately US$80 million annually for 12 years during a
speech to the Global Tobacco and Nicotine Forum at the InterContinental
New York Barclay. Additional funding from other sources will be
announced at a later date.

Dr. Yach will be preceded by Mitch Zeller, director of the US FDA's
Center for Tobacco Products, who will speak at 8:45am EDT about the need
for a new approach to smoking cessation and harm reduction. Members of
the media are invited to attend.

Dr. Yach is a former World Health Organization cabinet director and
executive director who led the development of the world’s foremost
treaty on tobacco control, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
In anticipation of the launch of his new Foundation, he said, “With more
than 7 million smoking-related deaths every year, smoking kills more
people annually than HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined.
Smoking is a global public health crisis that needs an urgent response
with significant, sustained resources, fresh ideas and collaborative
action. The Foundation will provide all that and more as we work to help
the world’s one billion smokers quit smoking.”

WHAT: Launch of the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World

WHEN: September 13, 2017, 9:30am EDT

WHERE: InterContinental New York Barclay, 111 E 48th St, New
York, NY

WHO: Dr. Derek Yach, founder and president-designate, Foundation
for a Smoke-Free World